PREP CAPSULES (Playoffs Round 1) Second season provides new hope
STAFF REPORT
The playoffs are here and the favorite slogan is “everybody is now 0-0.”
It sounds nice but there are, in actuality, only a handful of teams that have a shot at winning a state title.
You can start with the defending champs in Catholic and Lowndes Academy. Both are expected to go far into the post season, and win it, despite both being in higher classifications.
Other teams have enjoyed solid regular seasons. Montgomery Academy, Tallassee, Autauga Academy all had a great season, better that expected in some cases and will make plenty of noise in the playoffs.
A few others may just be happy to have a second chance. Holtville earned a trip to the playoffs with a late-season win over Valley; Alabama Christian needed a win over Wicksburg to get in.
It sets up as an intriguing start to the second season with 16 teams from the River Region poised to get to the title game.
Here is a brief look at each of the games involviing those teams and what is expected in Week 1 of the playoffs.
PLAYOFFS - 1ST ROUND
Games begin FRIDAY at 7 p.m. unless stated otherwise.
RIVER REGION GAMES
CLASS 6A
(4th seed - R2) PERCY JULIAN (5-4) at (1st-R4) HUEYTOWN (7-3) - It’s difficult to figure out which Julian team will show up.. the one that was impressive last week in a win over Benjamin Russell or the one that couldn’t get out of its own way in the loss to Wetumpka. Hueytown’s losses were to good teams. No so sure about the Phoenix’s defeats. We’ll know more after the first round. it would be appropriate to figure in the home field advantage but if the Golden Gophers have enough offense, they should win. HUEYTOWN, 33-22.
(4th-R4) BESSEMER CITY (7-3) at (1st-R2) PIKE ROAD (7-3) –This one has upset written all over it. Why? Look at what a team from Bessemer has done in the playoffs agaisnt River Region teams - They have two wins over Park Crossing, but they also have a loss to Wetumpka in the last three years. Still, Pike Road needs to find some consistency if they are to put together a similar run to the semifinals like last year. They get off to a good start… PIKE ROAD, 35-20.
(4th seed-R2) WETUMPKA (7-3) at (2nd-R4) McADORY (6-3) – The Indians got a tough draw of the teams playing against Region 4. McAdory has impressive wins over a couple of teams that may do well in their respective brackets (They opened the season with a win over Pleasant Grove, which is 9-1). But they are playing their best ball. McAdory was unable to keep up with Briarwood in its last regular season game. But it looks as though the Yellow Jackets are more battle tested and should advance. McADORY, 28-21.
CLASS 5A
(4th seed-R4) HOLTVILLE (4-6) at (1st-R2) CATHOLIC (9-0) – Tough assignment for the Bulldogs, who have had a decent season under first-year coach Cory Lee. Catholic has been its usual self, dominating on both sides of the ball. Even if Holtville plays a perfect game, the chances of winning are slim. Catholic has too much for any chance of an upset. CATHOLIC, 42-6.
(3rd seed-R4) ELMORE COUNTY (7-2) at (2nd-R2) ANDALUSIA (6-4) – The records don’t seem to add up considering where these two are at the moment. The Panthers have enjoyed plenty of success but to what extent does that mean in the grand scheme? Andalusia could be considered the best team they have faced, and that’s not meant to be a slight on Central-Clay County. But credit them for beating who they are supposed to and earning those seven wins. Expect a close game and if there is wet weather, it might make this a turnover battle and anyone can win that. But Andalusia has been in contention for titles the last few years and that should help in what will be a close game. ANDALUSIA, 28-20.
CLASS 4A
(4th seed-R1) MOBILE CHRISTIAN (3-6) at (1st-R4) TALLASSEE (7-2) – It’s been said plenty of times but Tallassee has been the biggest surprise in the River Region. Winning the region title was never the expectation. Hoping to make the playoffs was the high watermark. Now, the Tigers would love to make a deep run in the postseason. it could happen considering how well they’ve played the last few weeks. But one issue has to do with playoff success. Mobile Christian won the state title last year. They are used to playoff pressure. We’ll see if Tallassee is. Expect a closer game than we might think. TALLASSEE, 27-23.
(3rd seed-R1) W.S. NEAL (4-6) at (2nd-R4) ST. JAMES (6-4) –Most would agree St. James is better than its record indicates. The Trojans have been very good against teams it is supposed to beat. Does Neal fit that category? It remains to be seen but the Trojans have been solid offensively and should be able to advance to the next round. ST. JAMES, 34-18.
CLASS 3A
(4th seed-R4) DADEVILLE (3-7) at (1st-R2) MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (9-1) – Montgomery Academy’s rise to the top might be a surprise to some but it has certainly been bullish on the teams in its region. Except for a head-scratching loss to Wicksburg, the Eagles have been exceptional. There is no reason to believe they will falter against a rebuilding Dadeville squad that is “probably just happy to be here. MONTGOMERY ACADEMY, 41-13.
(3rd seed-R2) TRINITY (7-3) at (2nd-R4) RANDOLPH COUNTY (7-3) – This is a pick that could be based on tradition but it may be a little biased based on how the two programs have played in the past playoffs. The Wildcats are making their seventh-straight post season. This is the 10th year in 11 for Randolph County, which includes a trip to the state title game back in 2017. Coach Pat Prestridge has been around a long time for the Tigers and has the home-field advantage. But the thought here is Trinity has played in a tougher region and should be battled tested when it takes the field on Friday. Take care of the football and Trinity wins. That may be difficult if the weather forecast is true - it’s calling for a lot of showers. But the Wildcats figure out a way to get it done and advance. TRINITY , 21-17.
(4th seed-R2) ALABAMA CHRISTIAN (6-4) at (1st-R4) GLENWOOD (9-0) – ACA has peaked at the right time. But that might not translate to a win in the first round. Glenwood is a newcomer to the AHSAA but not the playoffs. They’ve been the AISA championship game the last six years. The Gators know how to win this time of year, even if they’ve changed addresses. In recent postseasons, ACA has been hit or miss but not gotten past to the quarterfinals but a couple of times. The key will be making a stop or two because the Eagles will put up points. Hold the Gators in-check on a couple of possessions, the Eagles win.. That’s the pick. ACA , 34-31.
CLASS 1A
(3rd seed-R2) GEORGIANA (6-4) at (2nd-R4) AUTAUGA ACADEMY (9-1) – The Generals have made the most of their maiden voyage in. the AHSAA. With the only blemish a loss to Maplesville, they look as though they might make a deep run in the playoffs. Their offensive line is massive and that will make them a tough out. Georgiana is coming off a 10-2 season in 2023 with a couple of their key players back from that team. But it’s hard to pick against the Generals, who have been impressive all year. AUTAUGA ACADEMY , 30-16.
AISA
AAA (4th seed-R1 ) VALIANT CROSS (4-4) at (1st-R2) FT. DALE ACADEMY (8-2) – Valiant Cross has enjoyed a few highlights on the season, including a season-ending win over Crenshaw Christian. But they gave up more than 20 points in every game but one this season and face a solid defensive team in the Eagles. It’s been a good rebound for the Warriors after going 0-9 a year ago but the good fortune ends this week . FT. DALE ACADEMY , 45-12.
AA (4th seed-R2 ) JACKSON ACADEMY (4-7) at (1st-R1) LOWNDES ACADEMY (9-0) – The Rebels begin a quest for a fourth-straight title. There has been nothing in the regular season to prove it can’t be done. They won each game by an average of 40 points. Seven games were won by seven or less points including three shutouts. It’s been vintage Lowndes Academy football. No reason to see that changing this week. LOWNDES ACADEMY , 48-7.
A-8-Man (6th seed) LAKESIDE (3-5) at (3rd seed) MACON EAST ACADEMY (6-2) – The Knights first tour of 8-man football went, in some opinions, better than exepcted. Other than the end of the season, when they faced the top two teams in the class, they were solid for the most part. There is no reason to think that changes in the playoffs. They will get past this game and then have a tough task of (probably) face Springwood in the semis..MACON EAST , 53-17.
A-8-Man (5th seed) SOUTHERN PREP (5-5) at (4th seed) EVANGEL CHRISTIAN (5-4) – Evangel has become one of the “8-man” powers after winning the title two years ago and reaching the semis last year. The Lions are primed to make another run. They played top seed Cornerstone close a couple of weeks ago, that’s the good news. The bad was they gave up 88 points to second-seed Springwood. They won the first meeting with Southern Prep by nearly 30 points. There is little reason to expect anything less this time. EVANGEL , 55-20.
OTHERS
7A: Auburn over Bob Jones, 35-0; Thompson over Daphne, 27-21; Opelika over Florence, 30-21; Central-PC over James Clemens, 35-16; 6A: Russell Co over Northridge, 35-24; 5A: Demopolis over UMS-Wright, 29-21; Central-Clay County over Greenville, 28-14; Eufaula over Beauregard, 27-21; 4A: St. Michael over Handley, 21=20; Jackson over Bullock Co, 35-15; Ashford over Oak Grove, 36-21; 3A: Hillcrest-Evergreen over Southside-Selma, 25-21; T.R. Miller over Thorsby, 45-12; Houston Aca over Beulah, 40-14; 2A: Reeltown over Houston County, 30-12; JU Blackshere over Luverne, 29-21; Loachapoka over Ariton, 40-14; Highland Home over St. Luke’s, 45-23; Providence Christian over Horseshoe Bend, 39-21; 1A: Maplesville over Florala, 45-21; Sweet Water over Choctaw Co, 25-18; McKenzie over Keith, 26-12; Elba over Verbena, 43-12; Leroy over Pickens County, 28-12; AISA: Chambers Aca over CLarke Prep, 46-14; Monroe Aca over Banks, 35-15; Bessemer Aca over Morgan Aca, 27-21; Patrician over Crenshaw Christian, 26-21; Wilcox Aca over Sparta Aca, 28-18; Cornerstone Christian over North River, 67-23; Springwood over Meadowview Christian, 55-12.
SEASON COMPLETED: G.W. Carver; JAG; Park Crossing; Prattville; Stanhope Elmore; Marbury; Prattville Christian; Billingsley; Autaugaville; Edgewood Academy; Hooper Academy.
RECORD: Last week 9-6; Season 150-54 (.735)